Shanly Latimer Palk died peacefully February 12, 2026 in Ed’s House Hospice, Cobourg, in her 85th year. She was predeceased by her parents William and Eileen (Molly) Palk, and her brother Hugh Palk. She is survived by her sister Alix Arnett of Toronto, her nieces Shanly and Tannis Arnett of Toronto and her nephews William Arnett of Los Angeles and Charles Arnett of New York.

Shanly was born in Winnipeg in 1941 with birth injuries. At the age of 7 Shanly moved to Aurora under the care of the Anglican Order the Sisters of St. John the Divine.

In 1955, three sisters moved from Aurora, with their 17 “girls”,  into Ballintruan, a heritage house in Port Hope, with parental support. The sisters held to a clear vision of providing a familial home for their flock as the Anglican Special School for Girls. The sisters incorrigible corgis, that barked constantly, were always under foot - to everybody’s enormous amusement and entertainment!

The Ballintruan home’s name changed to St. Hugh’s House just as Access Community Services was being established as a provincially funded agency dedicated to the care of developmentally disabled individuals living in Northumberland.

In 1981, a valuable partnership was contracted between St. Hugh’s House agreeing to provide premises solely for Access Community Services whilst the Access Agency agreed to provide care for the St. Hugh’s House residents living in Ballintruan.

Shanly and her many friends blossomed over these many years as they enjoyed a broad range of activities in an accepting, compassionate community. They basked in the wonderful care and joy from committed staff, volunteers – all allowing them to live their lives in community.